There are a lot of luaus on Oahu, and most comparison lists online still include Paradise Cove. Paradise Cove closed on December 31, 2025. We checked every luau below against its official site in October 2026, priced the ride from Waikiki, and picked one for each kind of trip.
Prices change often and are shown before tax. Check your date before you book. Booking links on this page may earn us a small commission at no cost to you.
Quick picks
- The big, high-energy show: Chief's Luau
- The classic, long-running luau: Germaine's Luau
- Small, all-inclusive and close to town: Experience Nutridge
- No car, staying in Waikiki: Royal Hawaiian ʻAhaʻaina
- Lowest price, if you have a car: Toa Luau
Side-by-side comparison
| Luau | Where | Adult price | Getting there from Waikiki |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chief's | Kapolei | from $144 | $34 pp shuttle |
| Germaine's | Kapolei | from $128 | $35 pp (free with Plumeria) |
| Experience Nutridge | Tantalus | $170, drinks incl. | $26 pp shuttle |
| Royal Hawaiian ʻAhaʻaina | Waikiki | $179, open bar | Walk (Mondays only) |
| Toa Luau | North Shore | from $105 | Drive yourself |
1. Chief's Luau
Best for: The big, high-energy show
Where: Wet’n’Wild Hawaii, Kapolei (west Oahu)
Price: Aloha $144 adult / $102 child. Paradise $182 / $129. Royal $231 / $182.
Getting there: Round-trip Waikiki shuttle about $34 per person.
The loudest, funniest night of the group. The fire knife finale is the headline, and the host keeps the crowd laughing between numbers. It is a 40-minute drive from Waikiki, so either rent a car for the day or budget for the shuttle.
Check Chief's Luau dates and prices
2. Germaine's Luau
Best for: The classic, long-running luau
Where: Kapolei (west Oahu)
Price: Makai from $128. Original $167. Plumeria $242.
Getting there: Waikiki bus $35 per person, included free with the Plumeria package.
One of the longest-running luaus on the island, with the full buffet, imu ceremony and Polynesian revue. If you were going to pay for the bus anyway, price out Plumeria: the free transport closes a lot of the gap.
Check Germaine's Luau dates and prices
3. Experience Nutridge
Best for: Small, all-inclusive and close to town
Where: Tantalus, above Honolulu
Price: $170 per person with food and drinks included.
Getting there: Shuttle $26 per person ($196 bundled).
A smaller evening on a historic estate in the hills above Honolulu, with sunset views over the city. Drinks are included, so the ticket price is closer to the real price than at most luaus. It is also the shortest ride from Waikiki of the shuttle luaus.
Check Experience Nutridge dates and prices
4. Royal Hawaiian ʻAhaʻaina
Best for: No car, staying in Waikiki
Where: Royal Hawaiian Resort, Waikiki
Price: $179 adult / $101 child (5–12). Open bar and the 20% service charge are included.
Getting there: No ride needed if you are staying in Waikiki.
A seated dinner show on the lawn of the Pink Palace, built around storytelling rather than spectacle. It only runs on Mondays, 5:30 to 8pm, so check your dates first. You walk there, so there is nothing to add to the ticket.
Check Royal Hawaiian ʻAhaʻaina dates and prices
5. Toa Luau
Best for: Lowest price, if you have a car
Where: Waimea Valley, Haleiwa (North Shore)
Price: Silver $105–145. Gold $135–175. VIP $165–205. Waimea Valley admission included.
Getting there: Self-drive only.
The best value on the island if you are already driving to the North Shore. The ticket includes Waimea Valley, so you can walk the gardens to the waterfall in the afternoon and stay for dinner and the show. There is no shuttle, so this one is only for travelers with a car.
Check Toa Luau dates and prices
The hidden cost: getting there
Most Oahu luaus are not in Waikiki, and the shuttle is priced per person. For a family of four the ride alone adds up fast:
- Germaine's: $140 round trip (or $0 on the Plumeria package)
- Chief's: $136 round trip
- Experience Nutridge: $104 round trip
- Royal Hawaiian: $0, you walk
- Toa Luau: $0 extra if you already have a rental car
If you are renting a car for a day anyway, plan it around a luau night and the shuttle money goes back in your pocket.
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Before you book
- Check the day of the week. Not every luau runs nightly, and the Royal Hawaiian only runs on Mondays.
- Price the ride with the ticket. A cheaper ticket plus a shuttle can cost more than an all-in package.
- Arrive early. The lei greeting, imu ceremony and activities before dinner are part of what you are paying for.
- Book ahead for holidays, summer and spring break.
Comparing more options? Browse all Oahu luaus on Viator or on GetYourGuide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Paradise Cove Luau still open?
No. Paradise Cove Luau closed on December 31, 2025. If a site or video still recommends it, it is out of date.
What is the best luau on Oahu?
For a big show, Chief's Luau. For a classic luau, Germaine's. If you are staying in Waikiki without a car, the Royal Hawaiian ʻAhaʻaina on Mondays. With a car and a budget, Toa Luau on the North Shore.
What is the cheapest luau on Oahu?
Toa Luau at Waimea Valley starts around $105 and includes valley admission, but you need a car to get there.
Is there a luau you can walk to from Waikiki?
Yes. The Royal Hawaiian ʻAhaʻaina is at the Royal Hawaiian Resort in Waikiki. It runs Mondays from 5:30 to 8pm.
How much is the Chief's Luau shuttle?
About $34 per person round trip from Waikiki, on top of the ticket.
Which Oahu luau includes drinks?
Experience Nutridge includes food and drinks in the $170 ticket, and the Royal Hawaiian ʻAhaʻaina includes an open bar.
Sources: official sites for each luau (chiefsluauhawaii.com, germainesluau.com, experiencenutridge.com, royal-hawaiian.com, toaluau.com, paradisecove.com), checked October 2026.
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